Could someone please explain the different surfaces to me. Hence, what kind of game suits a certain surface and why. For example – why (many people believe) Justine can beat Serena on clay, but not on hardcourts. Or why Wimbledon could be mauresmo’s best chance to win a slam. I have an idea, especially about clay, but not so sure about grass and hardcourts.

Hard courts - Quite fast surface and the ball bounces high so it favours flat hitting power players like Lindsay, Williams sisters etc. However, its not as fast as grass so there is room for a defensive, retrieving type of game. Slice is less effective on this surface unless executed perfectly, therefore the best players on this surface tend to utilise big groundstrokes rather than finesse touches.

Grass courts - Very fast courts, where the ball skids through the ball, meaning that often the player has to use a lot of topsin to lift the ball over the net. Rallies in grass courts are generally quite short, because the serve is strengthened by this surface, and players come to the net more. Grass is perhaps the surface which sees most variety, as there are various succesful tactics, because powerful groundstrokes skid through the grass quickly making them hard to retrieve but also the speed makes volleys very difficult to get to, thats perhaps why Mauresmo has a good record at Wimbledon.

Clay courts - The slowest surface and the clay itself slows down the ball dramatically making this surface the one which favours the consistent player and the retriever. Whilst winners are still possible, the slowness of the court makes retrieving much easier. Serves are also negated and more easily retrieved (thats why Davenport struggles at the F0). Also drop shots are used much more on this surface because the clay stops the ball and therefore they are much more difficult to get to. Clay courts generally suit quick and very fit players who can mix up play. Matches on this surface are generally the longest because of the increased length in rallies.

Hard courts - Quite fast surface and the ball bounces high so it favours flat hitting power players like Lindsay, Williams sisters etc. However, its not as fast as grass so there is room for a defensive, retrieving type of game. Slice is less effective on this surface unless executed perfectly, therefore the best players on this surface tend to utilise big groundstrokes rather than finesse touches.

Grass courts - Very fast courts, where the ball skids through the ball, meaning that often the player has to use a lot of topsin to lift the ball over the net. Rallies in grass courts are generally quite short, because the serve is strengthened by this surface, and players come to the net more. Grass is perhaps the surface which sees most variety, as there are various succesful tactics, because powerful groundstrokes skid through the grass quickly making them hard to retrieve but also the speed makes volleys very difficult to get to, thats perhaps why Mauresmo has a good record at Wimbledon.

Clay courts - The slowest surface and the clay itself slows down the ball dramatically making this surface the one which favours the consistent player and the retriever. Whilst winners are still possible, the slowness of the court makes retrieving much easier. Serves are also negated and more easily retrieved (thats why Davenport struggles at the F0). Also drop shots are used much more on this surface because the clay stops the ball and therefore they are much more difficult to get to. Clay courts generally suit quick and very fit players who can mix up play. Matches on this surface are generally the longest because of the increased length in rallies.